[Usittne] USITT new england dues structure

[Crystal Tiala]

Hi all,
Below is information regarding potentional changes in our methods of collecting regional dues that was proposed at the Chairs meeting in Louisville.  I would like your input.  Please read the info below and tell me if you feel one option would benefit or hinder us more than another.  thanks,
Crystal

Dues Structure proposal
 
Rational for proposals
The sections enjoy their autonomy.  Historically it has been important to the sections that they are able to do their own planning, to keep track of their own members and finances, and to leave it up to their members whether or not to hold national memberships in addition to the section memberships.
 
There are difficulties though, and not all the sections have been equally successful in dealing with those difficulties.  Some sections have no problems maintaining an accurate and useful database of their membership.  Other sections spend a great deal of time and effort on their membership tracking, or have difficulty transferring information when section officers change or have difficulty finding officers willing to do the work of maintaining the membership lists.  Generating and/or sending out renewal notices can be an additional burden in this area, which can mean that some sections are “carrying” members who haven’t actually renewed for some time. (Not all sections mind that.)
 
Whenever these issues are discussed, (usually once a year at the Annual Conference) the question arises about whether the National office could handle all memberships.  I have tried to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the current system, and the two other systems that are most typically discussed in the Dues Structure Proposal Summation.  The rest of this document explains those three systems as 3 possible proposals.
 
 
Proposal 1 – leave things as they currently are.
No changes.  
 
To support this:  
The VP Members, Sections & Chapters would need to find resources (program recommendations, training, etc) to help those sections that want or need it to handle their database issues more effectively.
 
 
Proposal 2 – Have the National office maintain one master database.  
Membership applications would provide space for national and each of the regional sections.  Anyone wishing to apply for membership in any of the organizations would fill out one form, checking boxes for which memberships they wished to have.  After adding up all the membership fees, one check would be written.  It would be possible to apply for national alone, a regional section alone, or any combination of national and regional sections.  Renewal notices would go out from the USITT office. Sections would receive their dues from the national office on a regular basis.
 
To obtain a list of members, officers of a regional section would request either a set of mailing labels by mail, or a comma delineated list by email or regular mail. 
 
All sections would, most likely, have to become official not-for-profit organizations if they are not already.
 
To support this:  
The USITT Board would need to find additional resources to handle the additional staff workload.  
A process for distribution of section membership monies in an efficient, timely manner would need to be developed.
 
 
Proposal 3 – Have section membership be automatic with a national membership
When filling out a membership application for national membership, a member could check whatever regional sections they wished to be affiliated with at no additional cost.  National membership renewal would automatically renew the regional affiliations desired as well.  It would not be possible to be a member of a regional section only.
 
To obtain a list of members, officers of a regional section would request either a set of mailing labels by mail, or a comma delineated list by email or regular mail. 
 
All sections would, most likely, have to become official nor-for-profit organizations if they are not already.
 
 
To support this:  
The USITT Board would need to find additional resources to handle the additional staff workload.  
The USITT Board, in conjunction with the sections, would have to determine whether to raise the national membership rates in order to pass the dues on to the sections, or to keep the fees the same, and make major changes in the way sections currently finance their activities. 
The annual section support process would need to change.
National/Regional Dues structure proposals
No ChangeAll dues/memberships collected by National  National dues includes section
Advantages    AdvantagesAdvantages
Sections retain immediate control of mailing list, finances
Independence  and autonomy         
of sections retained 
USITT office staff workload unaffectedStandardizes membership processes at both levels          
 
Allows efficient tracking of memberships, lapses & renewals
 
Web/mail/fax renewals possible for all
 
Eases workload on, and technical resources needed for section volunteers
 
Eases ability to market sections to national members, and national to section members
 
Helps members understand that there          are two separate organizations (Nat & Reg)
 
Matches member perception of/desire for automatic dual membership at National and Maintains the wide variety of fee structures in the sections Regional levelsStandardizes membership processes at both levels            
 
Allows efficient tracking of memberships, lapses & renewals
 
Web/mail/fax renewals possible for all
Eases workload on, and technical resources needed for section volunteers
 
Eases ability to market sections to national members, and national to section members          
Matches member perception of/desire for automatic dual membership at National and Maintains the wide variety of fee structures in the sections Regional levels
No ChangeAll dues/memberships collected by National  National dues includes section
DisadvantagesDisadvantagesDisadvantages
Sections must be able to maintain and use data base efficiently – track memberships, send renewal notices, etc
 
Sections must have volunteer members willing to maintain data base and handle business. Turnover problems when volunteers change
 
Perception difficulties from members who don’t understand separate membership structureSections do not have independent access to own member database or collected dues
 
Sections will need to request list (by email or in label form) in advance when needed
 
No “fudge” time when memberships expire
 
Possible increase in USITT office staff workload
 
Less section independence and autonomy than many desireSections do not have independent access to own member database or collected dues
 
Sections will need to request list (by email or in label form) in advance when needed
 
No “fudge” time when memberships expire
 
Possible increase in USITT office staff workload
 
Sections will have to work with National to re-conceive their financial structure and funding in light of no formal dues
 
Not possible to have section members who are not national members
To Solve
Section database issuesTo solve
How to get section dues to sections in regular, efficient way
 
Additional resources to USITT office to handle additional workloadTo solve
Additional financial resources to sections who are no longer collecting dues
 
A way to have non-national section members
 
Additional resources to USITT office to handle additional workload

                        

Crystal Tiala
tiala at mindspring.com
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
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